As Sweetwater communities continue to grow, the district has seen an almost 25% increase in its students population. During the last decade 1993 through 2003, the total district student population increased by 9,109. In fact, one of the cities that Sweetwater serves, Chula Vista, is the seventh fastest-growing city in the nation.

The Sweetwater District is among the most culturally diverse in the state. More than 86% of Sweetwater students are from ethnic groups undrrepresented in higher education and more than half speak a language other than English at home. One of every four students is an English learner. And at least 33 different languages are spoken in the community. Half of Sweetwater students qualify for free-and reduced-price lunches.

More students are taking and completing the A-G course requirements for college due to the reform efforts that the Sweetwater District and San Diego State University have accomplished. The Compact for Success, the flagship initiative of the district, encourages students to complete the A-G college admission requirements by meeting rigorous benchmarks. Students are readying for the SAT test and college-level work by taking new courses such as Rhetoric and Writing. The Compact model has led to similar partnerships with Alliant International University and Point Loma Nazarene University.

The prestigious Goldent Bell award was given for the Compact for Success that has earned the reputation of being the most powerful student initiative in the nation according to the American Association of School Administrators, earned a Magna Award from the American School board Journal as well. And the Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Task Force has also been awarded a Golden Bell for its proactive work in building awareness in this area in the student community.

The Visual and Performing Arts Department continues to bring outstanding learning experiences to Sweetwater students. Through a partnership with the San Diego Repertory Theater, stage professionals will visit Sweetwater classrooms to provide interactive activities on Shakespeare's play King Lear. This Lear on the Border project focuses on themes in the play. For example, did you know that sibling rivalry could go too far? Students read sonnets and sections of the play with understudies in the classroom. Students make connections with characters and language before they even see the production. In the spring, classes will see the play on stage with visit with actors.

For the fifth consecutive year, Sweetwater high schools have eliminated the competition in the San Diego County Academic Decathlon. Southwest High finished first -place, after breaking Hilltop High's three-year streak. This year, Hilltop's team took second place, while EastLake, Mar Vista, Chula Vista and Sweetwater High Schools took, fifth, eight, ninth and tenth places, respectively.

With more than 29,000 students, the Sweetwater District is home to one of the largest Adult Education division in California. It's also one of the best. The division was one of nine in the state honored with a "Program of Excellence" award by the California Department of Education. Honored for its English as a second language program, the division expects students to complete the ESL program and then go on to access other educational opportunities.